U.S. patent number 4,051,336 [Application Number 05/681,430] was granted by the patent office on 1977-09-27 for pressure sensitive door edge switch and actuator construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Miller Brothers. Invention is credited to Norman K. Miller.
United States Patent |
4,051,336 |
Miller |
September 27, 1977 |
Pressure sensitive door edge switch and actuator construction
Abstract
A pressure sensitive door edge construction including a channel
facing outwardly from a door and having inturned lips defining
therebetween a slot, a resiliently depressible bead extending
exteriorly along the channel bridging the slot, a reduced neck on
the inner side of the bead extending through the slot, and inner
enlargement on the neck interiorly of the channel, and pressure
responsive means operatively connected to the bead for stopping
door movement upon bead depression.
Inventors: |
Miller; Norman K.
(Concordville, PA) |
Assignee: |
Miller Brothers (Concordville,
PA)
|
Family
ID: |
24735251 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/681,430 |
Filed: |
April 29, 1976 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
200/61.43;
49/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
10/00 (20130101); B60J 10/40 (20160201); E05F
15/44 (20150115); E05Y 2900/51 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
10/00 (20060101); E05F 15/00 (20060101); H01H
003/16 (); E05F 015/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;200/61.43,86R ;318/266
;49/27 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Scott; James R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Youtie; Robert K.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pressure sensitive door edge construction comprising a rigid
channel for extension along a door facing outwardly therefrom,
inturned lips on said channel spaced apart to define therebetween a
longitudinal slot communicating between the interior and exterior
of said channel, a resiliently depressible bead extending
exteriorly along said channel in overlying engagement with said
lips and bridging said slot, a reduced neck on the inner side of
said bead extending through and substantially occupying said slot,
an inner enlargement on said neck interiorly of said channel and
engageable with said lips to retain said bead in position without
other securement to said channel, and pressure responsive switch
means extending longitudinally along and entirely within said bead
and operative responsive to depression of said bead for stopping
door movement on bead depression.
2. A pressure sensitive door edge construction according to claim
1, said neck being slidable in said slot for endwise inserting
assembly and withdrawing disassembly of said unit with respect to
said channel.
3. A pressure sensitive door edge construction comprising a rigid
channel for extension along a door facing outwardly therefrom,
inturned lips on said channel spaced apart to define therebetween a
longitudinal slot communicating between the interior and exterior
of said channel, a resiliently depressible bead extended exteriorly
along said channel in overlying engagement with said lips and
bridging said slot, a reduced neck on the inner side of said bead
extending through and substantially occupying said slot, an inner
enlargement on said neck interiorly of said channel and engageable
with said lips to retain said channel in position without other
securement to said channel, and pressure responsive switch means
extending longitudinally along and within said bead and operative
responsive to depression of said bead for stopping door movement on
bead depression, said bead, neck, and inner enlargement comprising
an integral unit fabricated of resilient flexible material, said
inner enlargement and neck being provided with a longitudinal split
extending between the interiors of said bead and channel for
passage laterally through said slit of said switch means into said
bead.
4. A pressure sensitive door edge construction comprising a rigid
channel for extension along a door facing outwardly therefrom,
inturned lips on said channel spaced apart to define therebetween a
longitudinal slot communicating between the interior and exterior
of said channel, a resiliently depressible bead extending
exteriorly along said channel in overlying engagement with said
lips and bridging said slot, a reduced neck on the inner side of
said bead extending through and substantially occupying said slot,
an inner enlargement on said neck interiorly of said channel and
engageable with said lips to retain said bead in position without
other securement to said channel, and pressure responsive switch
means operatively connected to said bead and responsive to
depression of said bead for stopping door movement on bead
depression, said neck being formed with a through opening
communicating between the interiors of said bead and said inner
enlargement, said switch means extending longitudinally along and
within said inner enlargement, and pressure transmission means
extending from the interior of said bead spacedly through said
opening to said switch means for transmitting pressure from said
bead to said switch means.
5. A pressure sensitive door edge construction according to claim
4, said bead, neck, inner enlargement and pressure transmission
means comprising an integral unit fabricated of resiliently
flexible material.
6. A pressure sensitive door edge construction according to claim
5, said through opening being longitudinally elongate, and said
pressure transmission means comprising a tongue integral with said
bead extending spacedly through said through opening for bearing
engagement with said switch means.
7. A pressure sensitive door edge construction according to claim
6, said integral unit being interiorly hollow and hermetically
sealed.
8. A pressure sensitive door edge construction according to claim
4, said pressure transmission means comprising a tongue operatively
connected to said bead for depression therewith and extending
spacedly through said through opening for bearing engagement with
said switch means.
9. A pressure sensitive door edge construction according to claim
8, in combination with an enlargement on said tongue remote from
said switch means, and shoulder means interiorly of said bead in
retaining engagement with said enlargement to retract the latter
away from said switch means on return of said bead from said
depression.
10. A pressure sensitive door edge construction according to claim
9, said enlargement comprising a cross member in retained
engagement with said shoulder means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
While there have, in the past, been provided a variety of pressure
sensitive door edge constructions, prior devices of this type were
subject to expensive and dangerous damage from vandalism, and
presented manufacturing difficulties in meeting widely varying
environmental and performance specifications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to
provide a unique pressure sensitive door edge construction which,
in one embodiment, is extremely resistant to damage, even by
vandalism, and will continue to function notwithstanding
substantial mutilation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pressure
sensitive door edge construction, which is uniquely adaptable to
meet a wide range of structural and functional requirements and
specifications by relatively simple and inexpensive changes.
While the door edge construction of the present invention has been
primarily developed for use in train doors, and the like, and will
be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference
thereto, it is appreciated that the device of the instant invention
is equally applicable for use in personnel elevator doors,
automatic vehicle windows, and a wide variety of other
applications, all of which are intended to be comprehended
herein.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon
reading the following specification and referring to the
accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this
disclosure.
The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,
combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be
exemplified in the construction hereinafter described and of which
the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of a train, showing personnel
doors incorporating the pressure responsive door edge construction
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial horizontal sectional view taken generally along
the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, enlarged for clarity of understanding.
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing a door edge
construction of FIG. 2, broken away to facilitate
understanding.
FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but
showing a slightly modified embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4,
broken away for ease of understanding.
FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4, but
showing another slightly modified embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6,
broken away for clarity.
FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but
showing another slightly modified embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically
to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, there is shown in FIG. 1 a train car 10, say
of the modern commuter style train having a doorway 11 provided
with a pair of sliding doors 12. The doors 12 each include a safety
edge 13 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. While the safety edge to be described is shown herein as
applied to train doors, it is appreciated that the instant safety
edge may find equally advantageous employment in various personnel
passage doors, including elevators and others, as well as for use
on windows, say in motor vehicles, and in other applications, say
as door opening push members, and the like; all of which are
intended to be comprehended herein.
In FIG. 2 is shown in greater detail the pair of safety edges 13 of
doors 12. The safety edges 13 may be identical, so that a detailed
description of one will suffice. Secured along the outer or closing
edge 15 of each door 12, longitudinally coextensive therewith, is
an elongate receiver or channel 16. The channel may include a back
or bottom wall 17 secured fast in facing engagement with the outer
edge 15 of the door 12 by any suitable fastener means, such as
screws 18. A pair of generally parallel, spaced channel side walls
20 extend generally normal to and outwardly from opposite side
edges of the back or inner wall 17, and are provided on their outer
edges with longitudinally coextensive, inturned lips or flanges 21.
The lips or flanges 21 are generally coplanar, extending inwardly
toward and terminating short of each other to define in the space
therebetween a longitudinally extending opening or slot 22.
The door edge 13 further includes an elongate, unitary body 25
fabricated of resiliently yieldable material, such as rubber or
plastic, say polyvinyl chloride. The body 25 includes an elongate
bead 26 extending longitudinally along the outer side of channel
16, adjacent to the outer surfaces of lips or flanges 21, overlying
the latter and bridging the interlip space or slot 22. The bead 26
is internally hollow, as at 27 and may be of generally polygonal
configuration, including an inner or back wall 28 in facing
relation with the outer faces of flanges 21, a pair of
longitudinally extending, generally parallel side walls 29
outstanding from opposite side edges of back wall 28, and an outer
wall 30 extending laterally between the outer edges of side walls
29 and longitudinally coextensive with the back and side walls 28
and 29. An engagement rib 31 may be provided exteriorly on the
outer wall 30 for interfitting or weather stripping engagement with
a like door edge, jamb, or other abutment surface.
Longitudinally coextensive with the inner or back bead wall 28,
projecting from a laterally intermediate region thereof is an
integral, reduced portion or neck 33 extending generally
conformably through the channel opening or slot 22. The reduced
portion or neck 33 is provided interiorly of the channel 16 with a
longitudinally extending T-portion or enlargement 34 configured for
retaining engagement with the inner surfaces of channel lips
21.
Thus, as will be apparent from the drawings, the unitary body 25 of
bead 26, neck 33 and enlargement 34, integrally fabricated or
rubber, or the like, is readily adapted for assembly with the
channel 16 by endwise insertion of the integral body with neck 33
entering into slot 22, enlargment 34 interiorly of the channel and
bead 26 exteriorly of the channel.
In manufacture, the body 25 may be extruded, as being of constant
cross-section throughout its length, and may be provided with a
longitudinal slit, opening or passageway 35 communicating laterally
medially through enlargement 34 and neck 33. Prior to assembly of
the body 25 with channel 16, the body may be resiliently deflected
to open or distend the slit 35, and enable passage therethrough of
pressure responsive switch means 36 into the interior hollow 27 of
the bead 26, after which the slit 35 may be sealed, as by sealing
means 43 and the ends of body 25 also suitably sealed to the
atmosphere. If desired, the switch means 36 may further be
encompassed in an envelope of flexible, impervious sheet material
for additional sealing.
The illustrated pressure responsive switch means 36 may be of the
type illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,733 to Miller, or may be
other suitable pressure responsive switch means, including
hydraulic, pneumatic, or other. However, as illustrated, the switch
means 36 includes inner and outer resiliently compressible strips
37 and 38, say of plastic foam, or the like, and an intermediate
resiliently compressible strip 39 between the inner and outer
strips and having spaced therealong through openings 40. Sandwiched
between the intermediate strip 39 and each of the strips 37 and 38
are respective flexible conductive strips 41 and 42, being spaced
apart by the intermediate strip 39 and in facing spaced relation
through the openings 40. Upon compressive deflection of the bead
25, the conductive strips 41 and 42 are moved into contact and
close an electric circuit to effect door operation. Such an
operating circuit may be of the type shown in prior U.S. Pat. No.
3,754,176 to Miller, or other suitable closure operating means. Of
course, electrical leads are taken from the switch means 36 through
the body 25 without adversely affecting the hermetic seal thereof,
which leads may be for pneumatic, hydraulic or other suitable
pressure responsive and operating means, as desired.
It will now be appreciated that the door edge 13 is adapted to
provide a highly effective safety edge. By its construction the
bead 26 simulates a normal door edge cushion, so that its safety
operation aspect is concealed from the general public. The degree
of sensitivity may be very conveniently varied to achieve almost
any desired sensitivity within a very wide range by merely
selecting the desired durometer of the unitary body 25. One measure
of safety edge sensitivity is the pounds per square inch necessary
to effect operation. The desired sensitivity might be quite
different, say between subway doors and warehouse doors. While the
sensitivity may be varied by other means, say altering the
dimensions of the switch means 36, or of the bead walls, it is
simpler and more economical to merely extrude material of a desired
hardness or durometer. Of course, if desired, any possible shifting
of the body 25 relative to the channel 16 may be precluded, as by
passing fasteners through the channel side walls 20 into the
enlarged part 34.
Considering now the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown
therein a safety edge, generally designated 13a including a channel
16a which may be substantially identical to the channel of the
first described embodiment, including parallel spaced side walls
20a, and inturned lips or flanges 21a. The interlip space defines a
slot 22a, similar to the slot 22 of the first described
embodiment.
Additionally, there is provided a resiliently deflectable integral
body 25a, corresponding to the body 25, but of modified structure.
The body 25a includes a bead 26a extending longitudinally along and
on the other side of lips 21a, bridging the slot 22a. The bead 26a
may include a back wall 28a extending along and in facing
engagement with the outer sides of channel lips 21a, a pair of
laterally spaced side walls 29a extending longitudinally along and
outstanding from opposite side edges of back wall 28a, and an outer
or engaging wall 30a extending longitudinally of and laterally
between the forward edges of side walls 29a. The outer or front
wall 30a may be provided longitudinally therealong with an
outstanding rib 31a, as for weathertight engagement with a door
jamb, mating door, or the like.
The interior of bead 26a may be hollow, as at 27a, and may be
provided with an internal wall 45 extending laterally across the
internal hollow between intermediate regions of the side walls 29a.
That is, the internal wall or partition 45, which may be formed
integrally with the bead side walls 29a, spaced between the bead
back wall 28a and outer wall 30a, may extend laterally across the
bead interior, subdividing the same into an outer interior hollow
46 and an inner interior hollow 47.
Extending integrally from the bead 26a generally conformably
through the channel slot 22a is a reduced portion or neck 33a,
generally longitudinally coextensive with the bead. Integral with
the neck 33a, interiorly of the channel 16a, is an enlargement 34a,
which is in facing engagement with the inner faces of both inturned
lips or flanges 21a to retain the body 25a in assembly with the
channel 16a. The enlargement 34a is advantageously interiorly
hollow, as at 50, and the interior hollow 50 of the enlargement 34a
may communicate through the neck 33a by an opening or passageway
51, with the interior hollow 27a of the bead 26a. Particularly, the
interior hollow 50 of the enlargement 34a communicates through neck
passageway 51 with the interior hollow region 47 inwardly of the
internal wall 45. Located within the interior hollow 50 of the
enlargement 34a, which latter is within the channel 16a, is
pressure responsive actuating means 36a. The actuating or switch
means 36a is illustrated as similar to the actuating or switch
means 36, but is provided with an envelope 49 of impervious
material sealing the switch means from the atmosphere. Other
suitable pressure responsive actuating means, such as hydraulic or
pneumatic, may be employed, if desired, and the pressure responsive
means is suitably connected in actuating relation with operating
means, as described in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.
The internal bead wall or partition 45 may be of angulate or
nonstraight configuration, say being V-shaped in cross-section
including wall portions 52 converging toward each other from
respective bead side walls 29a inwardly toward inner bead wall 28a
and merging at a juncture or apex 53 proximate to the neck
passageway 51. Thus, the internal bead wall 45 is bowed or
angulated away from the front or outer bead wall 30a and toward the
inner or back bead wall 28a. Projecting from the crown or apex 53
of internal bead wall 45, longitudinally coextensive with the body
25a, is a pressure transmitting rib or lip 54. The pressure
transmission rib or projection 54 is an integral formation of the
body 25a, and extends in spaced relation through the neck
passageway 51 for edge abutting engagement with the pressure
responsive switch means 36a. Thus, it will be appreciated that the
entire body 25a, as in the first described embodiment, may be
integrally fabricated from resiliently deflectable material, such
as rubber or suitable plastic, as by extrusion, molding, or
otherwise.
In use, inward deflection of the bead 29a, as by pressure against
outer wall 30a or angulate pressure against side walls 29a, will
effect inward movement of projection or rib 54 through passageway
51 against pressure responsive switch means 36a to compress the
latter and effect circuit closure or other switch means
operation.
By the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, there are achieved
substantially all the advantageous characteristics mentioned in
connection with the first described embodiment of FIGS. 1-3,
including the highly selective pressure responsive sensitivity by
durometer control of the body 26a, and further advantageous results
in extreme resistance to the most deliberate destructive abuse or
flagrant vandalism, as by severance or impaling with a sharp
instrument or knife. It will now be appreciated that even cutting
of the edge 13a down to the channel 16a would not prevent operation
of the door, no matter where such cutting occurred. Thus, vandal
resistant operation is substantially completely assured, unless the
vandals were intimately knowledgeable about the safety edge
construction.
While the integral body 26a may be split, as at the enlargement
34a, for receiving the pressure responsive switch means 36a, the
switch means may also be inserted endwise longitudinally into the
enlargement hollow 50, without the need for subsequent sealing.
Also, the assembly of body 26a and switch means 36a may be
assembled with the channel 16a by endwise insertion in the latter,
it being preferred that the opposite ends of the body by suitably
sealed prior to assembly.
Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a safety
edge is there generally designated 13b, including a channel 16b
which may be substantially identical to the channel of the
hereinbefore described embodiments, including parallel spaced side
walls 20b and inturned lips or flanges 21b. The interlip space
defines a slot 22b which may be similar to the slots 22 and 22a of
the hereinbefore described embodiments.
Additionally, there is provided a resiliently deflectable integral
body 25b, but slightly modified, including a bead 26b extending
longitudinally along and on the outer side of lips 21b, so as to
bridge the slot 22b. The bead 26b may include a back wall 28b
extending along and in facing engagement with the outer sides of
the channel lips 21b, a pair of laterally spaced side walls 29b
extending longitudinally along and outstanding from opposite side
edges of the back wall 28b, and an outer or engaging wall 30b
extending longitudinally of and laterally between the forward edges
of side walls 29b. The outer of front wall 30b may be provided
longitudinally therealong with an outstanding rib 31b, as for
weathertight engagement with a door jamb, mating door edge, or the
like.
The interior of bead 26b may be hollow, as at 27b, and may be
provided with a split internal wall or partition 45b extending
laterally across the internal hollow 27b between intermediate
regions of the side walls 29b. The internal wall or partition 45b
may be formed integrally with the bead side walls 29b, being spaced
between the bead back wall 28b and outer wall 30b and may extend
laterally across the bead interior to subdivide the same between an
outer interior hollow 46b and an inner interior hollow 47b.
Further, the internal wall or partition 45b is longitudinally split
or open, as at 55 so as to subdivide the wall or partition into a
pair of laterally inwardly extending shoulders 56, each of which
extend laterally inwardly from a respective bead side wall 29b
toward and terminate short of each other on opposite sides of the
space or slot 55.
Extending integrally from the bead 26b generally conformably
through the channel slot 22b is a reduced portion or neck 33b,
generally longitudinally coextensive with the bead. Integral with
the neck 33b, interiorly of the channel 16b, is an enlargement 34b,
which is in facing engagement with the inner faces of both inturned
lips or flanges 21b to retain the body 25b in assembly with the
channel 26b. The enlargement 34b is advantageously interiorly
hollow, as at 50b, and the interior of hollow 50b of the
enlargement 34b may communicate through the neck 33b by an opening
or passageway 51b, with the interior of hollow 27b of the bead 26b.
Located within the interior hollow 50b of the enlargement 34b,
which latter is within the channel 16b, is pressure responsive
actuating means 36b. The actuating or switch means 36b is
illustrated as similar to the actuating or switch means 36 and 36a,
but other suitable pressure responsive actuating means may be
employed, such as hydraulic or pneumatic, as in the hereinbefore
described embodiments.
Extending longitudinally within the boddy 25b, longitudinally
coextensive therewith, may be a resiliently flexible rib,
projection, lip or tongue 54b. That is, the rib or tongue 54b
extends longitudinally along and spacedly through the opening 51b
in neck 33b, having the adjacent longitudinal edge proximate to
switch means 36b. The other or outer longitudinal edge passes
spacedly through the space or opening 55 between shoulders or
flanges 56 of partition or wall 45b and extends outwardly into
outer hollow region or chamber 46b. Provided on the longitudinally
outer edge of lip or rib 54b, within hollow region or chamber 46b
is an enlargement or cross member 57 of a lateral dimension greater
than the lateral dimension of slot or opening 55, so as to be
retained in hollow region 46b by shoulders 56.
Thus, as best seen in FIG. 6, the transverse extent of tongue or
lip 54b is such as to just about engage switch means 36b when
enlargement or cross-piece 57 engages outer bead wall 30b and the
bead is in a relaxed or undepressed condition. Hence, upon
depression of the bead 26b, such depression will be transmitted
through lip or tongue 54b to switch means 36b for actuation by the
latter of suitable operating means; and, upon return of the bead
from its depressed condition the shoulders 56 will be in retaining
engagement with the enlargement or cross-piece 57 to retract the
tongue from its switch actuating relation.
If desired, the enlargement or cross-piece 57 may be cemented, or
otherwise adhesively secured to the outer wall 30b, but this is not
generally necessary. The operating advantages set forth in
connection with the hereinbefore described embodiments are achieved
in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, with a simpler extrusion
body.
In FIG. 8 is shown a further slightly modified embodiment which may
be essentially identical to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7,
including a safety edge generally designated 13c constituted of a
channel 16c and extruded body 25c. The body 25c may be essentially
identical to the body 25b, except that the inner enlargement 34c is
provided with a generally cylindrical interior hollow 50c adapted
to receive a hydraulic or pneumatic tube 36c as switch means,
rather than the hereinbefore described electric switch means.
From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides
a pressure sensitive door edge construction which is capable of
meeting a wide variety of required operating specifications,
effectively resisting damage even by vandals, and otherwise fully
accomplishes its intended objects.
Although the present invention has been described in some detail by
way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of
understanding, it is understood that certain changes and
modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *